6 Tell Tale Signs An Online Casino Is Legit
| 🕒 4 minutes read Online gambling has exploded in popularity in the last few years, and with that come those who wish to take advantage of it.
Many cite the pandemic and subsequent isolation as the driving cause behind online gambling’s rapid rise in popularity. The state-at-home restrictions caused everyone to find new ways of entertaining themselves, with many either stumbling upon online casinos or making the transition from in-person sites.
This rise in popularity was noticed, with many new online casinos becoming available to gamblers in New Zealand. However, with most things online these days, not all of these casinos are legit. Some are designed with the sole purpose of subterfuge and scamming people of their hard-earned money.
It is essential to know how to identify a legit online casino before you start depositing your money. In this post, we are going to discuss six ways to tell if an online casino is legit. So, let’s dive in!
1. Check for a valid licence
The first thing you should always do when checking if a new online casino is legit is to check for a valid licence. A valid licence from an accredited body will assure you that the casino follows the necessary guidelines, and is also monitored by a regulator. This means that all of your personal information and financial transactions are safe when playing at the site.
A licence is essential to operating an online casino from anywhere in the world, if a site does not have a licence it’s a red flag and you should definitely steer clear if you want to keep your money.
To check if a casino holds a valid licence, simply scroll down the homepage of the site and look for an information section. Here, you should be able to find their licence information as well as contact details in case something goes wrong with the website or service.
Legit online casinos will display their licence number at the bottom of their homepage. This information will also be available on their About page or Terms and Conditions page. If you’re struggling to find their licence this is a good indicator that the site is most likely not legitimate.
2. Look for SSL Encryption
Another easy way to check if an online casino site is legitimate is to ensure that SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology is in place. This encryption technology is used by legitimate online casinos to keep their players’ confidential information safe.
SSL encryption technology works by encrypting all the data that is transferred between your device and the online casino’s server so that hackers cannot access it. It typically increases operating costs, so scammers looking for a quick dollar are more than likely to skip this.
To quickly check if an online casino is using SSL encryption, look for the padlock icon on the URL bar.
3. Read Online Reviews
Another method of ensuring the online casino you want to use is legitimate is to check what others are saying about it. Online reviews provide an easy, quick means of determining if a site is what it says it is.
Many players post their experiences with online casinos on various forums and review sites. Take time to read both positive and negative reviews to get a clear picture of the online casino’s reputation.
It is possible for sites to utilise fake reviews, so it’s important to check different sources and reference the other methods in our guide to ensure you don’t fall for any elaborate schemes.
4. Check for Fair Gaming
Online casinos operate using Random Number Generators (RNGs), these are how your numbers are calculated and determine if you win or lose – clearly an important part of your experience.
A legit online casino will use a known Random Number Generator (RNG) to ensure that the games offered are fair. A proper RNG ensures that the games are not rigged in favour of the casino and that each player has an equal chance of winning.
There are numerous regulatory bodies that check the RNG of online casinos, so make sure before you play on any site ensure they’re displaying their RNG certificate on their website.
5. Check the Payment Methods
The method by which you get paid your winnings will quickly tell you if a site is legitimate or not. But you’d really want to make sure of this before you try and secure your big win. A legit online casino will offer various payment options such as credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. They will also have secure payment gateways to protect your financial information.
If the site you’re thinking about using doesn’t have secure payment gateways, it’s a big no-no and you should avoid dealing with them.
6. Contact Customer Support
Lastly, reach out to the online casino’s customer support team to gauge their responsiveness and level of professionalism. A legit online casino will have a fast and responsive customer support team that is available 24/7.
They will also have different contact methods such as live chat, phone, and email.
If the site you’re weighing up lacks in this department it’s a good sign they’re not intending to help you if you encounter an issue.
Conclusion
Choosing a legit online casino is crucial to ensure that your gaming experience is enjoyable and safe. Always take the time to research the online casino BEFORE you start playing.
Check for a valid licence, SSL encryption, online reviews, fair gaming, payment methods, and customer support. By doing this, you’ll minimise the risk of being scammed and increase your chances of winning big at legit online casinos.
Happy gaming!
